Don't lean on this shoulder for right turns

The ROAD DOG

May 2, 2005|By Jim Stratton, Sentinel Columnist

Dear Road Dog: On State Road 436 southbound between University Boulevard and Hanging Moss Road, there's a large asphalt shoulder. Is this a turn lane or a bike lane? I sometimes see cyclists almost run over.

Virginia Miner

Winter Park

Dear Virginia: The streets of Central Florida aren't friendly to cyclists. The area routinely ranks near the top on lists of the most dangerous places for pedestrians and bicyclists.

S.R. 436 is one of our most-hated roads. It's busy, there are driveways, and the speeds are fairly high.

On this stretch, there's a paved shoulder separated from the travel lane by a white line. It's plenty wide for bicyclists, though we saw only one.

But we also saw a few drivers use the shoulder as a right-turn lane. They're not supposed to be doing that, says the bike-and-pedestrian guru for the region's transportation-planning agency.

Mighk Wilson said cars should use the shoulders for emergencies only -- not as a turn lane.

Wilson said that even though the shoulder is not a designated bike lane, cyclists can use it. But they should always watch for cars turning right -- and into them.

Dear Road Dog: On Colonial Drive, there's a utility meter in the driveway of a McDonald's near John Young Parkway. If someone hit it, there could be problems. Can you get this resolved?

Fred Stone

Orlando

Dear Fred: Some people write asking for a "fix" to Interstate 4. Some demand to know why "the worst drivers" seem to end up in Florida.

Rarely does a reader make such a reasonable request. And if granting that wish means grabbing an order of fries, then so be it.

The utility well is on the sidewalk. It's in the center of the driveway and looks like it could snag a tire if a driver wasn't careful: "Hi, can I get Big Mac and a realignment?"

Dodging cars -- yes, our stupid staffers went at lunchtime -- our crew discovered the top isn't missing. It's broken and sitting at the bottom of the box.

It's an Orlando Utilities Commission meter, and while staffers were there, an OUC truck pulled in. Sadly, the driver was just getting lunch.

So we called OUC and described the problem. OUC promised to send a crew right out. That lid should be back in place by today.

Dog Spots: Today is Bike vs. Car race to work day. As part of that, Sentinel columnist Mike Thomas -- known here as "Crazy Uncle Mike" -- and a Road Dog staffer will race to work. This will show that bikes are a good way to commute and an even better way to get a dress shirt really sweaty. Thomas will ride one of his NASA-designed bikes that's worth slightly more than the '98 Hyundai we'll be driving. We will start at Lakemont Elementary in Winter Park. Results to come.